Day 24: The Heart of the Matter

As moms humans, it’s so easy to fall into less than ideal patterns of behavior. Like yelling at our children, or using unkind words. I’m sure many moms (and dads!) can relate to my struggles in this area! We’re running late and child forgot backpack. Milk spilled all over the freshly mopped floor. Backtalking or complaining with we ask for help around the house. In a moment of heated anger, we spew forth lava of harsh words in a far-from-gentle tone. When the moment passes, it’s easy to chalk our behavior up to the stress of the moment, or the foolishness of our children.

The real problem though is not found outside of us in the stresses of life or the childishness of our kids. The real problem lies within us. Luke 6:45 tells us:

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

What we say (and how we say it) comes directly from our hearts. It’s not a matter of stopping yelling, or ceasing the flow of unkind words. Those things will only be changed when our hearts are changed.